The Impact of Childhood Abuse on Young Danish Adults from Families with Alcohol Problems

Objective: This paper aims to investigate the relationships between childhood physical and psychological abuse and adult offspring of problem drinkers’ (AOPDS) levels of mental health and work and social adjustment when entering counseling. Methods: Young AOPDS (N = 496) entering a Danish center for AOPD counseling were surveyed regarding their experiences of childhood abuse and their current mental health. Results: The number of years of experienced physical and psychological abuse was positively associated with levels of distress and work and social adjustment, but no association with self-esteem was found. The extent and frequency of psychological but not physical abuse were positively associated with PTSD severity. Multiple regression analyses revealed that psychological abuse was far more significant than physical abuse regarding levels of PTSD, self-esteem, and work and social adjustment. Conversely, talking to other persons about the family’s alcohol problem during one’s childhood was only associated with higher client self-esteem. Conclusion: Psychological abuse has a greater impact on levels of PTSD, self-esteem, and work and social adjustment than physical abuse, whereas physical and psychological abuse is equally significant in relation to general psychological distress. In counseling, more attention should be paid to psychological childhood abuse.